Job Snapshot

About Us

AF Group is committed to providing the best workers compensation product and customer service to companies and their employees across the country. Our specialized business model produces superior returns and we have a strong track record of outperforming the industry. By operating as a specialist we gain a competitive advantage and have created a lasting value for our stakeholders and customers.
Our size and specialization allow us to create significant economies of scale, and skill, for our operating units. We have the specialty expertise and financial strength and backing to make investments in technologies, processes and talent that other carriers cannot afford. This national footprint and strength is complimented by a regional market approach, with four distinct operating units that have an intimate knowledge of their customers, injured workers, and agents and brokers. Each operating unit offers superior underwriting, marketing, loss control and claims services in their niche and focused markets. The combination of a national footprint and strength with a local market expertise is what makes our organization so strong and enables our long-term outperformance of our peers.

Job Description

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for data analysis, data architecture, enterprise data modeling and for the development and governance of principles and standards that impact how data elements are developed and managed across our enterprise. The data architect is a critical role within the Enterprise Architecture team and works closely with other EA and IT teams including development, database administration and enterprise data warehouse. Advises the Enterprise Architecture Manager regarding a wide range of strategy and architecture issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES/TASKS:

Establishes principles, standards and guidelines for the design & development, deployment, expansion and maintenance of critical company data models.

Leads data mapping and analysis efforts to build a better view into our internal data assets, and makes recommendations on how and where to reduce redundancy.

Work closely with strategic projects and coaches development teams on defined standards and methods for data usage and propagation.

Coaches development teams in identifying the correct location for system-of-record data needed in software applications.

Applies known industry best practices for the management of data as a secured corporate asset and collaborates with the enterprise security team in understanding our data security requirements.

Collaborate with and advise database administrators and data warehouse specialists in improving the quality of our data over time.

Aligns with and advises other business teams including actuarial and underwriting, to better understand their model development and data needs.

Provides guidance on the practical usage of data for business analytics, data pattern identification and by extension to big data applications.

Analyzes current state of our data architecture and develops a strategic roadmap for activities needed to improve the management and the overall quality of our data architecture.

Aligns with business teams as needed to help identify business owners for specific company data.

Draws conclusions and effectively communicates findings with both technical and non-technical team members.

Works with IT and business teams to understand business requirements and business processes.

Collaborates with data warehouse teams in the definition of data warehouse schema and to define extract-translate-load ("ETL") processes for the data warehouse(s).

Provide direction and recommendations on methods and controls for data integrity and security of data in production and test systems, including data masking, data obfuscation, and data security privacy controls.

Performs other related duties which may not be specifically listed in the position description, but which are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's class of work.

EDUCATION OR EQUIVALENT

EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in information services or related field. Combinations of relevant education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

EXPERIENCE:

Seven years relevant information services experience which provides the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities. Five years of data architecture, data modeling and data management experience required.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES (SKA) REQUIRED:

Excellent oral and written communication skills required, with demonstrated ability to lead a collaborative conversation with IT and business leaders in a technical and non-technical context.

Ability to analyze and model normalized and dimensional data structures.

Ability to recognize the broader enterprise data needs and lead the creation of principles and standards as needed to protect the security and quality of data.

Ability to mentor teammates in business, information systems, data warehousing and business intelligence concepts and techniques.

Ability to understand overall systems and data architectures and how they impact business results.

Ability to plan for the short-, mid- and long-term data needs of IT and our business partners.

Ability to understand and consult on appropriate data management, warehousing and business intelligence architecture and design methodologies.

Ability to understand business needs and conceptualize and implement information solutions that support those business strategies.

Thorough knowledge and application of departmental procedures, processes and work flows.

Ability to comprehend the consequences of various problem situations and address them, or refer them for appropriate decision making.

Ability to effectively exchange information clearly and concisely, and present ideas, reports facts and other information, and respond to questions as appropriate.

Ability to be innovative, creative and think outside of the box when presented with roadblocks.

Ability to interact with others to build consensus and get decisions implemented.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Demonstrated leadership abilities.

Ability to make competent, independent decisions.

Ability to maintain confidentiality as appropriate.

Ability to perform other assignments at locations outside the office as periodically needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office setting with no unusual hazards. Some travel may be required.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimal skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this position description. The qualifications should not be viewed as absolute standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered with other position-related criteria.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is valued and we will not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form. Candidates for the position stated above are hired on an "at will" basis. Nothing herein is intended to create a contract.